The Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra.
In Friday’s (8/16) Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina), Adam Parker writes, “It isn’t unusual for a well-established organization to experience some turnover, even a bit of turmoil, when a new leadership regime takes over. But at Spoleto Festival USA, that turmoil has resulted in … staffing change, up and down the chain, and a significant downsizing of its once large board of directors. Mena Mark Hanna was named the new general director and CEO of the storied arts organization in July 2021…. Since Hanna took over, nearly all of the nonprofit’s established artistic and business leaders have been replaced…. 10 board members have resigned…. The crisis has come to a slow boil as revelations of a $600,000 deficit came to light. Demands for an explanation were never met, former board members said…. [New Board Chair Phillip] Smith, who previously served as treasurer, said … Spoleto Festival is in good financial shape despite the negative impacts of the pandemic … In 2023, it saw a $1.5 million revenue shortfall, the result of bad weather that forced the cancellation of the finale concert and eroded ticket sales as well as a drop in charitable contributions…. The festival features performances by … artists in opera, theater and dance as well as chamber, orchestral, choral, jazz and contemporary music.”
